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Writers Kasdan & Kinberg Chat Vague 'Star Wars' Details & Fandom

"There was a chance to capture some of the spirit of the original trilogy that I'd worked on. I thought there's an audience out there -- my grandchildren, lots of original Star Wars people -- and there always will be. It's only good that we try to do some more great ones." After all the news about Star Wars recently, I'm glad we get to hear some updates directly from the people involved. Thanks to a tip from SlashFilm, it was IGN who was lucky enough to catch both Star Wars screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg at the Final Draft Big Break screenwriting awards and get some interesting, if not vague, quotes out of them.

Up first, while IGN spoke with legendary Lucasfilm screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, The Big Chill, Silverado, The Bodyguard, Darling Companion), not much was revealed in their conversation that we didn't already know. However, he did at least confirm that this idea for the return for a new trilogy "actually first started with conversation I had with (Kathleen Kennedy) and George [Lucas]." His most exciting comment came when he was asked about the upcoming Star Wars Episode 7, 8, 9 trilogy he's writing, with J.J. Abrams set to direct one of them. Kasdan answers:

"They're going to be fun. J.J. (Abrams)'s a great director for the first sequel. Perfect. We're very happy to have him. The writers I've been working with -- Michael Arndt, who's going to write the sequel, and Simon Kinberg, who has, like me, been sort of consulting -- they're great. I've never really collaborated a lot, and I've never been a room with a bunch of writers thinking, 'Well, what should this thing be?' It's fun. It's really fun. And J.J.'s a writer. Yeah, lovely guy. I'd met him but didn't know him. But now I'm totally enamored by him. He's really funny and so enthusiastic."

Great to hear, I would certainly say the same. One of many reasons why I think J.J. is a great choice for the next Star Wars movie. But he's just one of many people involved in this new series of movies. Continuing on in IGN's interview, they spoke with the aforementioned Simon Kinberg, who has been working on the return/reboot of the Star Wars universe with Episode 7 and the standalone movies that we now know are in development. Kinberg, first, talks highly of Kasdan, saying, "he's a lovely guy, and I've gotten to know him a bit. He's as good a guy as he is a writer." Kinberg addresses a question about taking on this task as a big fan:

"I honestly try to approach all of these movies -- whether it's a title like X-Men or Sherlock Holmes or Star Wars -- as a fan. I try to block out the anxiety I feel if I worry too much about the responsibility, and I just try to focus on the fun of it and the reasons why I grew up reading X-Men comics and watching Star Wars movies and reading Sherlock Holmes stories, that first time I read or watched any of those things and why they were so magical to me. I try to honor that and return to that as I would a fan. That's the way I feel. When I wake up in the morning and I'm working on an X-Men movie, it's insane for me every day because I'm so excited to get to work."

Kinberg is also writing the X-Men: Days of Future Past for Bryan Singer, which is why he references both X-Men and Star Wars, two huge fan franchises he has control over as screenwriter. But he seems confident, thus we should be confident in him. This honestly sounds like it's in the best hands possible; as long as Lucas isn't writing, but people who have a long history with the series are, we'll be fine. One last interesting quote from Kinberg when asked if they'll use "a whole new plot and characters for your standalone movie?"

"This is what I would say: as a fan, I wouldn't want to know too much. I know that's impossible because it's not the '70s or '80s anymore, but part of what was so exciting about A New Hope for me was I was entering into a universe I didn't know. Even in Empire, I was surprised by a twist I never would have seen coming. But it's different nowadays. I understand the excitement, and I'm happy that people are interested, obviously. But I'd rather people have something left to discover when they go in."

That sounds like a big "leave me alone, don't ask for details, it's better you don't know them" response. For the full interview(s) with Kasdan & Kinberg, head over to IGN.com. It's at least fun to hear what they have to say, because obviously neither one are going to say anything that reveals any key details. Lucas and Kennedy and everyone at Lucasfilm and Disney have this series on lockdown, and they seem to be good with revealing bits of details, piece at a time. Aside from the recent rumored "leaks" aboutthe standalone movies, right after the CEO confirmed Kasdan & Kinberg were involved. For now, we'll have to wait until any more Star Wars updates are discovered and confirmed, since not many people are saying much at all.

With all the crazed Star Wars fanbois out there who cannot see past the original trilogy , only a nut would want to have anything to do with making a new Star Wars movie; talk about a lose-lose project! I'd love to see Jar Jar in the new movie just to listen to the fanbois go off the heads LOL

Moutchy

I have to agree with you. Personally, I'm not a fan, so I don't really care, but I think that any new Star Wars movie is doomed before it's even made, because the hype is SO BIG that it will never meet the expectations. It will always be compared to the old classic ones, and there's no way it can ever match that!

http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

Well, Star Wars has already been 'soured' in many eyes. We already had the prequels. I like them a lot, but consider the originals better...but a lot of people dislike and truly hate them. So the franchise has declined already...so the new films can't really 'tarnish' the good name of Star Wars any more than it has already been tarnished in the eyes of some. Quality entries in the franchise can only be a good thing.

Richie G

I wear that hat of hate. The prequels sucked, but I'll still have high expectations for ep 7. What's the point in going to the cinema expecting a low quality film? Too many people think low expectations is some sort of virtue

Moutchy

I understand your point of view, and I'm not saying one shouldn't have high expectations, I do too for certain movies, but all the buzz around the new Star Wars movie, it's completely crazy! If I was a fan of the franchise, personally I'd be scared of another deception. But there's a always a chance they'll get it right and surprise us, so let's hope for the best!

michael manders

fanboys suck big time....revenge of the zit losers .....

dangeer

The point of entering the cinema with low expectations is so that you don't build it up in your head to be something that it could never be. You come out saying, "Wow, that was a LOT better than I thought it would be." You end up enjoying a movie, even if it has faults. You're focusing on what you liked about the movie. You're willing to forgive, because you didn't expect much and got way more.
Entering with HIGH expectations gives what would normally be a good film absolutely no chance of successfully bringing enjoyment to the viewer. The film has to be 100% perfect in every way, and most films will not live up to that. Most viewers who go to movies with high expectations end up finding faults and focusing on them, rather than on what was GOOD about the film. You're UNWILLING to forgive because you expected more and you got way LESS.
The key to enjoying movies is to expect the worst and HOPE for the best.

si1ver

yeah the bar for SW has unfortunately been lowered imo

http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger

How do you hat someone? Do you put them on your head? Or does it mean you get on their head?

michael manders

i grew up with a new hope and i bought the first star wars toys...and i just want to say...those stupid fan boys...i like the prequels very much....they are great movies...compares to other new sf movies they are full with great characters and vehicles like grievious the podracers ect...what's wrong with that...i think george lucas did a super job...those fanboys are stupid....i'm an illustator sculptor and i know what i takes to create new stuff...those fanboys can create nothing...only waiting till a new movie comes and then bash the hell out it...
stupid fanboys....hate them.

Cameron was good with Terminaters 1 an 2 and Aliens. could care less about Titanic. Honestly i'd like to see what Cameron could do with Star wars. Avatar was just way to predictable for me . As always JMO

http://twitter.com/FidelReyes_ Fidel Reyes

The force is strong with this one.

Half in the Bag

Fuck movies!

michael manders

i hate the fanboys...stupid idiots...J J bring on episode 7....but be carefull of the zits( zits are stupid fanboys) they definitely compare every scene with the old stuff...

michael manders

maybe...someone could make a movie of the zits...where they all get blown down....

what the ef is a zit ?

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN !?!? I DON'T UNDERSTAND !!

Jericho

nerds that sit and study EVERYTHING they see...and then if ONE thing is off they shit all over the entire movie and talk about how bad it was directed...
just say the guys who hate everything for no reason....

what the ef is a zit ?

O.k. Captain Redundant Explanation,that was not the point of the comment but as long as you are being so "helpful" what does "blown down " mean? Is it something sexual or is it something homicidal ?

syntaxterror

I'd just be happy to see something different and exciting in the Star Wars universe and have a strong director and writer bring to us

What I'm finding most comical about reading the posts here is that apparently if you didn't like the prequels you're a "fanboi". I always thought it meant you had a clue.

Jericho

im with you Geoffrey

http://www.facebook.com/chris.groves.507 Chris Groves

I love all of the movies...they are my kind of film. Sci-fi blockbuster. BUT the originals are simply superior. If you think the prequels set some standard of bad, try watching 5 minutes of a Syfy original movie...

Tjr177177

The one thing that irks me about not knowing anything of it, is what they're doing the films on... There's so much already filled up in the expanded universe that I just want to know if they're basing them on the EU, or if they are creating an entirely new set of stories that'll somehow fit within the existing literature...

http://twitter.com/equustel Ali Miller

The "existing literature" has always been superfluous – it isn't canon, so there's no need (in Lucas's eyes) to make sure new films fit with the EU. For example, the whole Clone Wars history established in Zahn's Thrawn trilogy was totally disregarded when the prequels were made.
You have to remember that Lucas has had all three trilogies outlined (in however vague a form) for a long time – his 7/8/9 is bound to be much different from what the EU writers came up with. Yes, he's handing the reigns off to different writers and directors, but I'm sure his original ideas are going to play into the development of this new trilogy somehow. And I'm glad.

engrish

I wish they had the balls to make something completely new.Not something from Lucas outline for future movies and not something from EU.